September/October Newsletter

Here’s a brief glance at what you’ll find in the September/October issue…

A TRU balances interests of current, future beneficiaries

Trusts often create conflicts between current beneficiaries, who receive the income that the trust generates, and remainder beneficiaries, who receive what’s left at the end of the trust’s term. A total return unitrust (TRU) can better balance both current and remainder beneficiaries’ interests. Using a fictional example, this article details how a TRU can benefit all beneficiaries. A sidebar looks at whether an existing trust can be converted into a TRU.

International affairs: Special estate planning is necessary if you’re a non-U.S. citizen

Many traditional estate planning strategies are based on the assumption that everyone involved is a U.S. citizen. But for those couples with a noncitizen spouse, special rules apply that require additional planning. This article examines some of the estate tax issues for noncitizens, both resident and nonresident.

Tenancy-in-common: A versatile estate planning tool

For those who hold significant real estate investments, tenancy-in-common (TIC) ownership can be a versatile estate planning tool. This article explains what TIC is and offers three ways TIC interests can be used in estate planning.

Estate Planning Red Flag:  Your plan doesn’t provide for items of sentimental value

Because many people focus on high-value assets in their estate plans, personal property items with relatively low monetary values that can have significant sentimental value may get overlooked. Using a personal property memorandum can help the estate’s executor on the disposition of personal property not covered by a will or living trust. This brief article explains the benefits of a personal property memorandum.

To view a PDF of the newsletter with full articles click here.